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Cut Costs, Not Care with Home Phototherapy

Phothera home phototherapy is a safe & effective solution that has the ability to save integrated healthcare systems millions annually by reducing upfront & long-term spend.

Empowering Health Plans with Cost Effective Solutions

Adopting home phototherapy as a first-line treatment for psoriasis allows health plans to save billions of dollars in avoided drug spending while providing safe, effective care and improving patients’ quality of life. Phothera’s internal research indicates that health plans save money by offering phototherapy simply by delaying the start of expensive biologic drugs.

Cost saving opportunities are even greater if payors choose to utilize revolutionary Phothera’s ClearLink Controller with Guided Mode protocols to monitor patient adherence and encourage continuation of home phototherapy. By incorporating Phothera into your health plan, you empower your members with the flexibility, convenience, and effectiveness of at-home care while simultaneously saving millions annually.

First Year Cost Per Treatment Methodology

  • Phototherapy – $5,925
  • Oral Treatment – $44,165
  • Biologic Treatment – $74,340

Home Phototherapy Devices Are A One Time Expense

  • One time device purchase in place of recurring prescription costs
  • No yearly medical tests required, unlike some biologics
  • No annual medication required to combat adverse reactions, unlike some biologics

Unparalleled Safety Profile

  • Safe for pediatric patients1
  • Safe for pregnant women2
  • Safe for geriatric patients3
  • Safe for immunocompromised patients4

Cost Saving & Effective Care

Health plans have the opportunity to reduce costs to the system by approving at-home phototherapy devices in line with association and physician recommendations.5 While some patients do require combination treatments with topicals or biologics (e.g. those with psoriatic arthritis), phototherapy is an ideal first-line of treatment for the majority of patients that both reduces side effects and significantly lowers costs while providing a highly effective treatment and excellent results.6

Cost savings compound over time, especially when health plans promote home phototherapy compliance. Ensuring patient adherence to their prescribed treatment plan and accurately measuring the effectiveness of phototherapy on their skin is essential for payors to manage spend while providing quality care to their members.

Cost of Treating One Psoriasis Patient Over a Three-Year Period

This chart outlines the impressive cost-savings over a three-year span when a home phototherapy protocol is instituted.

Treatment Cost Projection

Annual cost by treatment type — Year 1 through Year 3

Our demand [for phototherapy] has greatly increased in fact as many elderly in particular cannot afford the high costs or risks of systemic therapy.

– Dr. David B Vasily, M.D.

The Benefits of Phothera Phototherapy:

UNRIVALED SAFETY PROFILE

Phototherapy’s minimal side effect profile reduces the cost of treating side effects and co-morbidities that may accompany other systemic medications.

Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy is an ideal first line treatment that is safe for a broad range of patient types, including: pediatrics, pregnant women, geriatrics, and immunocompromised patients.

EFFECTIVE

NB-UVB has proven effectiveness with 82% of patients seeing nearly clear skin at just 5 weeks7 – reducing the risk of patients switching to costlier treatments.

ADHERANCE

Phototherapy reduces the risk of switching to more expensive treatments by easily integrating into one’s life with at-home or in-office treatment options.

COST SAVING

Home phototherapy is typically a one-time expense for health plans rather than the recurring cost of prescriptions for pharmaceutical treatments.

With an entry price point that is significantly less than other treatment modalities, home phototherapy can potentially save integrated healthcare plans millions annually.

TECHNOLOGICALLY DRIVEN

Phothera offers technological advancements that elevate phototherapy by promoting treatment adherence and patient safety.

Why Partner with Phothera?

At Phothera, we are committed to enhancing the treatment experience for patients with photoresponsive skin diseases by offering a solution that is both effective and convenient. By partnering with us, you can offer a modern, patient-centric approach that aligns with the growing demand for home-based care.

Improved insurance coverage for conditions beyond psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo and lower co-pays for home phototherapy devices will reduce barriers for patients to receive this lower cost, safe, and highly effective treatment not only for psoriasis, but for a wide range of skin conditions.

KAISER PERMANENTE RESOURCES

Transform your health plan with Phothera.

Contact us today to learn more about how our home phototherapy solution can benefit your members and reduce costs.

REFERENCES

  1. Pavlovsky M, Baum S, Shpiro D, Pavlovsky L, Pavlotsky F. Narrow band UVB: is it effective and safe for paediatric psoriasis and atopic dermatitis? J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2011 Jun;25(6):727-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03832.x. Epub 2010 Aug 18. PMID: 20726938. 
  2. Bae YC. Van Voorhees AS, et al. “Review of treatment options for psoriasis in pregnant or lactating women: From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Sep;67:459-77. 
  3. Bulur, I., Erdogan, H. K., Aksu, A. E., Karapınar, T., & Saracoglu, Z. N. (2018). The efficacy and safety of phototherapy in geriatric patients: a retrospective study. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 93(1), 33–38. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20185468 
  4. Rácz, E., & Prens, E. P. (2017). Phototherapy of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 287–294. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56017-5_24 
  5. Hearn RMR, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2008;159:931-935.
  6. Lee JH, et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2019;155(8):929-938
  7. Fernández-Guarino M, Aboin González S, Gonzalez-Cantero A, Arsuaga C, Lázaro P (2020) Phototherapy with Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B in Adult Psoriasis: A Study in Clinical Practice. J Clin Exp Dermatol Res. 11:521. DOI: 10.35248/2155-9554.20.11.521 

DOSING AND COST REFERENCES

a. Taltz® (ixekizumab) Dosing (n.d.). https://www.taltz.com/dosing Pharmaceutical product prices: Lilly pricing info. Pharmaceutical Product Prices | Lilly Pricing Info. (n.d.). https://www.lillypricinginfo.com/
b. Wu JJ, Feldman SR, Rastogi S, Menges B, Lingohr-Smith M, Lin J. Comparison of the cost-effectiveness of biologic drugs used for moderate-to-severe psoriasis treatment in the United States. J Dermatolog Treat. 2018 Dec;29(8):769-774. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2018.1466022. Epub 2018 May 7. PMID: 29658383.
c. SILIQ® (brodalumab) injection: Plaque psoriasis treatment information (n.d.). https://www.siliq.com/about-siliq/taking-siliq Siliq prices, coupons, Copay & Patient Assistance. Drugs.com. (n.d.). https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/siliq#:~:text=The cost for Siliq subcutaneous solution %28210 mg%2F1.5,card which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies.
d. Stelara® (USTEKINUMAB) prices, coupons, Copay & Patient Assistance. Drugs.com. (n.d.-b). https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/stelara Stelara dosing information. (2022, December 20). https://www.stelarainfo.com/plaque-psoriasis/treatment-information/stelara-dosing
e. SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa) Dosing for Ps and PsA. (n.d.). https://www.skyrizi.com/psoriasis-psoriatic-arthritis/about-skyrizi/dosing-and-takingskyrizi Cost & savings. SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa) Ps & PsA Cost, Savings. (n.d.). https://www.skyrizi.com/psoriasis-psoriatic-arthritis/cost-and-savings
f. Otezla® (APREMILAST) Support and savings: A Pill for PsO, PsA, and Oral Ulcers in BD. (n.d.). https://www.otezla.com/plaque-psoriasis cost-and-copay#:~:text=The list price for a 30-day supply of,at which Amgen sells its products